Glendale, Arizona
Invisalign Teen in Glendale, AZ -- Clear Aligners for Teenagers
Invisalign Teen is a purpose-built orthodontic system designed for the realities of teenage life -- compliance indicators so parents can track wear time, eruption tabs for developing dentition, and 6 free replacement aligners included. Dr. Turke and Dr. Dawson offer Invisalign Teen for patients throughout the Glendale area.
Invisalign at SmileScience
Purpose-Built for Teens
Invisalign Teen: Not Just Smaller Adult Aligners
Invisalign Teen is a dedicated product from Align Technology -- the same company that makes adult Invisalign -- that has been engineered specifically for adolescent orthodontic treatment. The differences are not cosmetic. They are clinical and practical features designed for the realities of teenage patients.
Compliance Indicators
Blue dots fade with wear time. Parents can check progress without interrogating their teen.
Eruption Tabs
Built-in spaces accommodate permanent teeth still coming in during treatment -- common in 13- to 15-year-olds.
6 Free Replacements
Six replacement aligners included at no charge for lost or damaged trays. Because teenagers lose things -- and that is okay.
Why Invisalign
The Advantages for Active Teen Life
Sports and Athletics
For contact sports, remove aligners and wear a mouthguard -- which fits far more comfortably without brackets underneath. For non-contact sports, aligners can stay in. No broken brackets from impact.
Band and Instruments
Students playing wind or brass instruments remove aligners for rehearsal and performance. Those hours count toward daily wear time totals. Most band students find a comfortable rhythm within the first few weeks.
School Photos and Events
Prom, graduation, homecoming, senior portraits -- aligners are barely visible and can be removed for photos. No one will see clear plastic trays the way they would see metal brackets and wires.
No Food Restrictions
Remove aligners, eat anything. No avoiding popcorn, no worrying about hard candy breaking a bracket, no food stuck in wires at lunch. This is consistently what teens say they appreciate most about Invisalign.
Confidence During Treatment
The teen years are socially high-stakes. Nearly invisible aligners let teenagers go through orthodontic treatment without feeling self-conscious. Many teens report feeling more confident during Invisalign than peers with braces.
Better Oral Hygiene
Teens with braces often finish treatment with white spot lesions from poor bracket cleaning. Removable aligners mean normal brushing and flossing -- no brackets to navigate, no floss threaders, far less decalcification risk.
Is My Teen Ready?
Candidacy: When Is the Right Time to Start?
Invisalign Teen is typically appropriate starting around age 13, when most permanent teeth have erupted. For some teens, particularly those who are skeletally mature and dentally complete earlier, treatment may begin slightly sooner. For others, waiting until all permanent teeth have erupted makes for a cleaner treatment plan.
At your teen's consultation, we take a panoramic X-ray (if not recently updated) to confirm:
- All or most permanent teeth have erupted
- No unerupted teeth are positioned in a way that would interfere with planned tooth movement
- Jaw growth is at a stage compatible with the planned correction
- No restorative issues need to be addressed before starting
The Invisalign Teen eruption tab feature accommodates patients with teeth still coming in -- so it is not always necessary to wait for 100% full eruption. Your doctor will tell you exactly where your teen stands and whether now or a later date is the right starting point.
Compliance
22 Hours -- The Standard That Matters
Aligners need to be worn approximately 22 hours per day. Unlike braces, which are fixed and passive in terms of compliance, Invisalign requires your teen to put them back in after every meal and keep them in throughout school, activities, and sleep.
The compliance indicator dots give parents an objective check-in. If the dots on an aligner have barely faded by the time the aligner should be progressed to the next stage, wear time has been insufficient.
Common teen compliance pitfalls:
- Removing aligners at school and leaving them in a bag or locker
- Forgetting to put them back in after lunch or sports practice
- Removing them for social situations and not tracking total daily hours
- Wrapping them in a napkin at meals -- the most common way they get thrown away
The Parent Role
How Parents Can Support the Process
Teens who have parent engagement during Invisalign treatment have better compliance and better outcomes. The parent role is not enforcement -- it is support and accountability.
Side by Side
Invisalign Teen vs. Braces for Active Teenagers
Invisalign Teen
- + Nearly invisible during treatment
- + Remove for sports, instruments, photos
- + No food restrictions when aligners are out
- + Brush and floss normally -- no brackets
- + Compliance indicators for parent oversight
- + 6 free replacement aligners included
- + Eruption tabs for developing dentition
- - Requires discipline to wear 22 hrs/day
Traditional Braces
- + Compliance is built-in (fixed appliance)
- + Effective for very complex cases
- + Often lower upfront cost
- - Visible metal during treatment
- - Food restrictions (no hard, sticky foods)
- - Harder to clean -- white spot lesion risk
- - Mouthguard fits poorly over brackets
- - Emergency visits for broken brackets
For most mild to moderate teen cases, Invisalign Teen produces results comparable to braces. Very complex cases may still be better suited to braces -- your doctor will tell you honestly which is right for your teen.
Pricing
Invisalign Teen Cost
Invisalign Teen at SmileScience starts from $4,499. The exact fee depends on case complexity and is determined at your free consultation. The fee is all-in -- it includes the initial scan, ClinCheck treatment plan, all aligner sets, one round of refinements, compliance indicator aligners, and retainers at completion.
Most insurance plans with orthodontic benefits apply toward Invisalign Teen the same way they apply to braces. FSA and HSA funds are eligible. Flexible financing is available through CareCredit, Cherry, Sunbit, and Proceed Finance, with options for low- or no-interest monthly payments.
The Invisalign Teen Process at SmileScience
- Step 1
We review your teen's dental X-rays, confirm Invisalign Teen candidacy, and take a 3D digital scan. No impressions. The whole consultation takes about 60 minutes.
Free Consultation + 3D Scan
ClinCheck Preview
Step 2Your teen and you see a 3D simulation of the projected result before any commitment. Seeing the end goal from day one is one of the most powerful motivators for consistent aligner wear.
- Step 3
Aligners arrive within a few weeks. We walk through proper insertion, removal, and care. Your teen leaves with their case, cleaning supplies, and the first sets of aligners.
Aligner Delivery
Progress Checkups Every 6 to 10 Weeks
Step 4We verify teeth are tracking correctly, review compliance indicator status, provide the next aligner sets, and answer questions. Visits are typically 20 to 30 minutes.
- Step 5
Custom retainers are provided when the final aligner stage is complete. Retainer wear is the most important step for maintaining your teen's result long-term.
Retainers at Completion
Real Result
Invisalign Teen at SmileScience
Case Notes
Teen Alignment Correction
Crowding and spacing concerns addressed with Invisalign Teen. Treatment completed on schedule with consistent aligner wear -- confirmed by compliance indicators at each progress visit.
Results like this are achievable for most teens with mild to moderate cases. At your free consultation we scan, assess, and show you the projected outcome using ClinCheck simulation before you commit.
Complete Invisalign Guide
Explore every aspect of Invisalign treatment at SmileScience.
Medical Review & Evidence
Invisalign clear aligner therapy is supported by over 20 years of published clinical research and more than 15 million treated patients worldwide.
- Invisalign achieves equivalent orthodontic outcomes to fixed appliances for mild-to-moderate crowding and spacing cases, per systematic review evidence.[1]
- Patient-reported quality of life during Invisalign treatment is significantly higher than during fixed-appliance treatment, primarily due to comfort and aesthetics.[2]
- iTero digital scanning eliminates traditional impression material and provides greater dimensional accuracy than alginate impressions for orthodontic models.[3]
- ClinCheck treatment simulation enables clinicians to visualize and adjust tooth movement staging prior to aligner fabrication, improving treatment predictability.[4]
- Ke Y, et al. A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies. BMC Oral Health. 2019;19(1):24.
- Pacheco-Pereira C, et al. Factors associated with patient and parent satisfaction after orthodontic treatment. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2015;148(4):652–659.
- Wiranto MG, et al. Validity, reliability, and reproducibility of the iTero intraoral scanner to measure tooth dimensions. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2013;143(2):194–199.
- Kravitz ND, et al. How well does Invisalign work? A prospective clinical study evaluating the efficacy of tooth movement. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2009;135(1):27–35.
This page is reviewed periodically for clinical accuracy. Individual treatment outcomes vary. Consult your SmileScience provider for a personalized assessment.
4.9 (437 reviews)
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Smile Science Dental Spa, and I couldn't be more impressed with the level of care and service provided by the entire team. Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke are both incredibly skilled and made me feel completely at ease throughout my procedures. Their professionalism, combined with their gentle approach, made me feel comfortable and well-informed every step of the way. I was especially impressed that I was able to get a same-day crown(apparently their first ever!), which exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t believe how quick and seamless the process was. It really saved me time and made the experience even more convenient. Cindiray and Angeles, the dental assistants, were equally wonderful. They were not only friendly and attentive but also thorough in explaining everything and made sure I was relaxed during each phase of my visit. Lastly, a big thank you to Litzy at the front desk, who greeted me with a smile and helped with scheduling and any questions I had. She made the entire check-in process a breeze. From start to finish, my experience at Smile Science Dental Spa was exceptional. I'll be returning for sure. I highly, highly, highly recommend them for anyone looking for high-quality dental care.
View Full Review on GoogleDusty
Honestly I’ve never been so happy to go to the dentist. I came in (late due to Lyft) and was still taken care of and treated with care. Even without insurance (kicking in within the next month) prices for an extraction on my infected tooth were more than reasonable. I was able to get more than expected done in the same visit. Dr. Dawson and his team made me feel so comfortable and taken care of. Won’t go anywhere else.
View Full Review on GoogleCherish B
I recently started as a patient after leaving our long-time family Dentist and couldn’t be happier! Marcela is AMAZING and a FANTASTIC hygienist!!!! 😃 Dr Dawson is great too! Every time I visit, they make me feel like family.
View Full Review on GoogleTJ Winzeler
Myself and my family had previously gone to Dr. Turk at another dental office that he worked at. He had relocated and we did not know where he had gone to until this week. Today I got in with Dr. Turk and he took the time to look at my x-rays carefully . I was having pain from a tooth and some other issues. The previous Dentist I went to that I saw just a few days earlier, he did not find any issues with my tooth which I had pain in. Dr. Turk identified infection and referred me to an endodontist. He is very gentle as a wonderful disposition and my self and my family are thrilled to be able to get back with him. The office is lovely, relaxing music, heat and massage chair.I have always been very nervous and some anxiety going to dentist as I have had bad reactions with the anesthesia. I am confident that Dr. Kirk will help me get through my next appointment just fine. “The staff are very kind and attentive. I am looking forward as I have quite a bit of work to be done, and I know I’m in good hands with Dr. Turk and his staff. Five stars!⭐️ Sherry
View Full Review on GoogleSherry Redmond
I recently moved to Arizona and had an issue with a tooth repair from 15 years back. Not knowing anyone here in my new home, I searched dentists close to me. I chose Smile Science much like pinning the tail on the donkey and my selection couldn't have been better! What a terrific staff! Dr. Turke was concerned the tooth would need to be extracted, but said he wanted to take a shot at saving it..and that's just what he did! After setting a temporary crown, I was on my way with an appointment to install the permanent crown in the following two weeks. That evening I received a call I've never received from a dentist. Dr. Turke had taken the time to follow up with me to make sure I wasn't in any discomfort..I was completely caught off guard by this kind of attention to detail and caring for my well being. The permanent crown is now in place, it fits and feels fantastic, the job and treatment are first class! Thank you, Dr. Turke and staff for taking in this stray and giving me a home dentist! I'd like to say that I'm just good at selecting blindly, but the truth is I am very lucky..and I'll take lucky over being good any day of the week! Thank you, again and Happiest of New Year's in 2026, Science Smile!!
View Full Review on GoogleEddy
FAQ for Teens and Parents
Invisalign Teen is typically appropriate starting around age 13, when most permanent teeth have erupted. Some teens may be ready earlier; others need to wait. We review dental X-rays at the consultation to confirm your teen's specific readiness.
Invisalign Teen includes compliance indicator dots that fade with actual wear time. A blue dot that hasn't faded much is a clear, objective signal the aligner wasn't worn consistently. Combined with a family routine -- case always in the bag, aligners go back in right after eating -- most teens do well. Our team also checks compliance tracking at every progress visit.
Invisalign Teen includes 6 free replacement aligners for lost or damaged trays. Contact our office when it happens and we will order a replacement. The most common scenario: the aligner gets wrapped in a napkin at lunch and thrown away. Keeping an aligner case on hand at all times prevents this.
For mild to moderate cases -- which describes most teen patients -- Invisalign Teen produces results comparable to traditional braces. Very complex cases may still be better suited to braces. Your doctor will give you an honest, case-specific assessment during the consultation.
Invisalign Teen at SmileScience starts from $4,499. Traditional braces are typically $3,500 to $6,000 for similar cases. Insurance, FSA/HSA, and financing apply to both. An exact fee is given after the free consultation and 3D scan -- see our Invisalign pricing page for full cost details.
Yes. For contact sports, remove aligners and wear a mouthguard -- which fits far more comfortably without brackets. For non-contact sports, aligners can stay in. Removal hours during sports count toward the daily total and should be tracked to stay at 22 hours on average.
Compliance indicator dots are small colored marks on certain Invisalign Teen aligners. They start as a visible blue-dot color and fade toward clear with actual wear hours. If a dot is still dark when it's time to progress to the next aligner set, it indicates insufficient wear time -- a signal to address compliance before it extends the treatment timeline.
Yes. Invisalign Teen includes eruption tabs -- built-in spaces in the aligners that accommodate teeth still erupting during treatment. This makes the product appropriate for patients in their early teens where not all permanent teeth have fully come in yet. Your doctor will plan around incoming teeth based on your teen's X-rays.
Inconsistent wear extends treatment and may require additional aligner sets. If wear stops entirely, teeth can begin shifting back toward their original positions. We monitor progress at each checkup and flag concerns early. When compliance challenges arise, we address them directly with both the teen and parents -- the goal is always to get back on track without unnecessarily extending the overall timeline.
Invisalign Teen includes compliance indicator dots on the aligners -- small blue dots that fade with wear. After 1 to 2 weeks of proper wear, the dots should be nearly invisible. This gives parents a simple visual check without relying on self-reporting. At SmileScience, we also monitor progress at every checkup and can identify under-wear from tooth movement patterns.
4.9 (437 reviews)
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Smile Science Dental Spa, and I couldn't be more impressed with the level of care and service provided by the entire team. Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke are both incredibly skilled and made me feel completely at ease throughout my procedures. Their professionalism, combined with their gentle approach, made me feel comfortable and well-informed every step of the way. I was especially impressed that I was able to get a same-day crown(apparently their first ever!), which exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t believe how quick and seamless the process was. It really saved me time and made the experience even more convenient. Cindiray and Angeles, the dental assistants, were equally wonderful. They were not only friendly and attentive but also thorough in explaining everything and made sure I was relaxed during each phase of my visit. Lastly, a big thank you to Litzy at the front desk, who greeted me with a smile and helped with scheduling and any questions I had. She made the entire check-in process a breeze. From start to finish, my experience at Smile Science Dental Spa was exceptional. I'll be returning for sure. I highly, highly, highly recommend them for anyone looking for high-quality dental care.
View Full Review on GoogleDusty
Honestly I’ve never been so happy to go to the dentist. I came in (late due to Lyft) and was still taken care of and treated with care. Even without insurance (kicking in within the next month) prices for an extraction on my infected tooth were more than reasonable. I was able to get more than expected done in the same visit. Dr. Dawson and his team made me feel so comfortable and taken care of. Won’t go anywhere else.
View Full Review on GoogleCherish B
I recently started as a patient after leaving our long-time family Dentist and couldn’t be happier! Marcela is AMAZING and a FANTASTIC hygienist!!!! 😃 Dr Dawson is great too! Every time I visit, they make me feel like family.
View Full Review on GoogleTJ Winzeler
Myself and my family had previously gone to Dr. Turk at another dental office that he worked at. He had relocated and we did not know where he had gone to until this week. Today I got in with Dr. Turk and he took the time to look at my x-rays carefully . I was having pain from a tooth and some other issues. The previous Dentist I went to that I saw just a few days earlier, he did not find any issues with my tooth which I had pain in. Dr. Turk identified infection and referred me to an endodontist. He is very gentle as a wonderful disposition and my self and my family are thrilled to be able to get back with him. The office is lovely, relaxing music, heat and massage chair.I have always been very nervous and some anxiety going to dentist as I have had bad reactions with the anesthesia. I am confident that Dr. Kirk will help me get through my next appointment just fine. “The staff are very kind and attentive. I am looking forward as I have quite a bit of work to be done, and I know I’m in good hands with Dr. Turk and his staff. Five stars!⭐️ Sherry
View Full Review on GoogleSherry Redmond
I recently moved to Arizona and had an issue with a tooth repair from 15 years back. Not knowing anyone here in my new home, I searched dentists close to me. I chose Smile Science much like pinning the tail on the donkey and my selection couldn't have been better! What a terrific staff! Dr. Turke was concerned the tooth would need to be extracted, but said he wanted to take a shot at saving it..and that's just what he did! After setting a temporary crown, I was on my way with an appointment to install the permanent crown in the following two weeks. That evening I received a call I've never received from a dentist. Dr. Turke had taken the time to follow up with me to make sure I wasn't in any discomfort..I was completely caught off guard by this kind of attention to detail and caring for my well being. The permanent crown is now in place, it fits and feels fantastic, the job and treatment are first class! Thank you, Dr. Turke and staff for taking in this stray and giving me a home dentist! I'd like to say that I'm just good at selecting blindly, but the truth is I am very lucky..and I'll take lucky over being good any day of the week! Thank you, again and Happiest of New Year's in 2026, Science Smile!!
View Full Review on GoogleEddy
Schedule a Free Invisalign Teen Consultation
Book a free consultation at SmileScience Dental Spa in Glendale, AZ. We will scan your teen's teeth, confirm candidacy, and walk through the ClinCheck simulation so you both see the projected result before making any decision. Both parents and teens are welcome -- and encouraged -- at the consultation.